Professional Reviews For This Wine

International Wine Cellar | Rating: 88

Deep, bright red. Pretty, floral aromas of dark berries, cocoa powder, cedar and truffle. Juicy and suave on entry, then moderately rich in the middle, with sound acidity and a slightly earthy, roasted character. The roasted character shades toward raisin on the finish. The fruit here was harvested after a rainy spell in '96. (Interestingly, the 1996 Masseto shows finer tannins than the '95, and today is clearly the better wine. )

Author: Stephen TanzerIssue: Issue 116

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Jancis Robinson | Rating: 17.5

Ornellaia 1996 Bolgheri Rosso Superiore 17.5 Drink 2008-15 Mid crimson. Surprising amount of development, slightly animal, on the nose. Supple and rather glorious. Pure pleasure. Tannins a little rustic. Very sweet start. Lots of personality even if not one of the most concentrated. Very chewy end ? like licking stones. 13.5% CS:M:CF 75:20:5 166,000 bottles

Drink Dates:
2008-2015
Author: Jancis Robinson

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Wine Advocate | Rating: 88

The 1996 Ornellaia (magnum) is one of the less-polished wines in this tasting. The tannins are a touch harsh and prominent, while the aromas and flavors tend towards fully mature suggestions of truffles and beef bouillon. In 1996 Ornellaia is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, marking the first move towards a lower percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. The wine spent 18 months in French oak, 60% new.

Author: Antonio GalloniIssue: 0110

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Wine Spectator | Rating: 94

Ornellaia is superb this year. One of the best in years, with currant and blackberry and hints of mint. Full-bodied, with excellent tannin structure and a lovely, sweet berry aftertaste. 13,750 cases made.

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About This Producer

A premiere estate located in Tuscany's Bolgheri coast, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia produces the renowned Merlot-based blends Masseto, Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove, and Le Volte. The unique microclimate and combination of clay in the soil eventually proved ideal, epitomized by the 2001 Masseto, which garnered 100 points from the Wine Spectator. The pinnacle achievement at Ornellaia, the Masseto has developed a cult following for its limited allocation.

Ornellaia, a Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc blend which debuted in 1985, is the estate's signature wine. Le Serre Nuove, which requires less aging and displays a more fruit forward style, is something of a "second wine" and joins Le Volte, a Sangiovese, Cabernet, Merlot blend, as wines at a younger age.